Left to right: Member Linda Taylor, with Interact co-Presidents Elizabeth Talley and Barbara Horne-Petersdorf.

Club Announcements byStephanie Midgett, President

Stephanie thanked all who brought bags of food this morning. Given the lame economy, there are many more these days who need help to feed themselves and their kids. The food drive will continue throughout the holidays.

The Board of Directors will meet Thursday, 7AM at Eggs N’ Things.

At our next general meeting we will review the Big Chili Cook-Off and prepare for the Ojai Wine Festival. Your input is important. “Mark down Sunday, June 12th for the 25th Wine Festival. In fact, you can mark the Saturday before and the Monday after, so you will be where you are needed.”

The Ojai-West club will celebrate our 26th anniversary on November 30th. The 5th Tuesday social will take place at Acacia Mansion. You should have received the invitation. If you received the invitation, you should have RSVP’d to Alice Gardner.

Rick Gould has officially changed his status to active member.

The District Conference in Santa Paula was well attended by clubs from Ojai, Ventura, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard.

Guest speaker was Anne Lee Hussey, a polio survivor from Maine who gave an impassioned speech about her life-long battle with this horrible disease, and the importance of continuing the vaccination program through Rotary.

Ed Fujita also spoke about how very close Rotary is to finishing the job of eliminating polio, and that we just have to go that last mile to completely eliminate this disease. He reminded us that no one remembers a person who is a runner-up–only the winners are remembered. Thus, Rotary must continue the race until victory is achieved.

Deepa Willingham and the Presidents of the attending clubs then gave The Rotary Foundation a check for $86,000–soon to become at least $90,000–to be used in the fight against polio.

Holly Wiggins:

The Community Service Committee is sponsoring a clean-up of a building at Help of Ojai’s West Campus. It will be used for the Ojai Adopt-A-Family program.

Volunteers should report at 9 am on November 6th (after stopping at the Interact Pancake Breakfast) and plan to work until noon.

Lucas was born in Hong Kong. He has lived in Brazil, Singapore, Zurich, and Miami, so he speaks several languages.

His father was an avid tennis player. When Lucas was a freshman in high school he decided to develop his own remarkable tennis abilities. After a search, Lucas came to the Weil Academy as a sophomore. He is now a junior with a grade point average of 3.6. Weil Academy students attend Nordhoff for four hours each morning to earn their academic credits for high school graduation.

Lucas is ranked # 9 among the junior tennis players in Southern California, and # 70 in the US, of all juniors in high school. Of all 18-and-under students in Southern California, he’s ranked twentieth. He will playing in the Ojai Open men’s division this coming spring.

Nordhoff Counselor Carly Futoran and praised his outstanding work ethic and his interest in his studies.

“We host many Weil Academy students,” she explained. “Lucas stands out because his Nordhoff teachers call him the best Weil student they’ve ever had. He’s taking very challenging courses, considering his tennis workload, including advanced placement English and honors pre-calculus.”

Dave Monson, our Athletic Director, told us that “Lucas is my top U.S. history student, not for his intellect alone, but also for his work ethic and his effort. His attitude is everything a teacher could want.”

His instructors at Weil told us that “Lucas is a tough competitor who will not give up until the last point.” They believe that his international tennis ranking will eventually be in the top hundred or perhaps the top fifty.

Jim also thanked Lucas’ mother Brenda, for making the trip to Ojai from Incline Village to see her son presented with the award. “Brenda told me that when Lucas left for Weil, he packed a bible.”

Lucas’s future plans include going to UCLA on a tennis scholarship and pursuing a career in medicine.

Jim presented him with a certificate of achievement and a check for $250.

Lucas thanked Ms. Futoran for nominating him, the club for giving him the award, his father, and he thanked his mother “who supported and encouraged me my whole life through every obstacle.”

Fines

Dennis Jones

Finemaster

Name that Tune

Fr. Steve Ochoa
Beethoven — Für Elise

Jim Halverson
Knights in White Satin — Moody Blues – Jim got it!

Rick Turner
Yard Birds – For Your Love

Lou Torres
Spencer Davis Group — Gimme Some Lovin’

Bob Beebe
Beatles — Martha my Dear

Featured Speaker

Our guest was introduced by Ojai-West President Stephanie Midgett. “Brenda Spandrio of Ambience-Solutions has visited our club before with her husband, Angelo. She was raised in the Midwest, but found her true home in Ojai a little over a year ago. Her business helps people to organize and de-clutter their homes and workplaces.

No one is as surprised at Brenda to find herself helping others out from under the tyranny of their clutter. She is a self-proclaimed bit of a slob herself. She shares her expertise in a weekly column in the Ojai Valley News.”

Brenda told us that “I was not born organized. I did not turn into June Cleaver after the honeymoon. It became a point of contention.” This may have contributed to her divorce from her first husband.

She told us that her favorite definition comes from the electronics world: Clutter is noise that interferes with communication.

Are there advantages to clutter? You can see where things are, sort of. You can show others how busy you are, how important we are, and how much stuff you have. (Hmmmm.) But what clutter really does is divert focus from real things and genuine motivations that affect us. “Clutter can become a literal barrier between us and problems, or us and other people. It keeps us from facing painful truths,” she added.

How much valuable space does clutter use? Eleven million people in the U.S. rent storage units, totaling over two billion square feet of storage space, earning 22 billion dollars in gross business in 2006. That’s an increase of 90% since 1995, even as homes have gotten larger and households have gotten smaller. Storage of stuff is big business! The sale price for an Ojai house is $306/square foot, which amounts to very expensive storing of all that clutter.

“One of my clients had radiant floor heating. But his office was so cold, because all the papers on the floor were insulating the office from the heat. He was burning up money each month. He’s lucky he didn’t have a fire.”

Sometimes bills don’t get paid, as they are lost in the clutter, creating expensive late fees. Clutter is unsafe—sometimes medications are out of date. Important documents get lost. “Every time I’ve worked with a client we have found money, whether it’s uncashed checks, spare change, or hidden cash,” she said.

Some of the documents that commercial companies keep can be used against them in litigation.

How much energy does clutter take? It drains you, as everyone needs to have a place of calm. “The first homework assignment I give my clients is to pick one space andkeep that space clear while the rest of the house or office is cleared. And then see the difference that you feel, the energy, the creativity that flows because of that open space.”

“For those of us getting on in years, with diminished eyesight, clutter is tremendously unsafe. Slipping or tripping on things… Lost or outdated medications. Spoiled food, attracting pests. We lose important documents, such as wills.

Clutter is postponed decisions! There are only three decisions you need to make when dealing with “stuff”.

1. Act on it
2. Put it away or file it.
3. Toss it

Everyone who has clutter, she said, has to stop the cycle of what is brought into the home or office and kept. “Ask yourself what is the worst thing that can happen if I throw this away?” Eighty percent of what we keep we never use, and eventually it ends up in a landfill or recycle center.

People are embarrassed to ask for help, but in reality, asking is a sign of wisdom. How do you get clients to really change?

“A lot of it comes when they realize how much they like the open space,” she said.

Correspondence

Dear Members of the Rotary Club of Ojai West.

I noticed several members left early last meeting, some during the speakers’ talks. In the past, it was considered good manners to apologize to the speaker beforehand if you needed to leave early. I wonder if that was done. Imagine you are the speaker and as you are getting into the talk, which you probably got up early for and are not being paid to do, and people leave during the speech, making it appear the discussion was not interesting enough for you to remain. While occasionally that is the case, we still owe the speaker the courtesy of pretending to pay attention and not get the reputation of not appreciating our speakers’ time and efforts. Please consider this.

On another topic, as Secretary, it is my responsibility to provide the district with attendance figures. I have been trying to reach members who have missed meetings to see if they have made up in any other way. Obviously, attending another club’s meeting counts. Board meetings, Interact clubs meetings, Rotaract meetings, committee meetings, including Wine Festival meetings, boats trips with the classrooms, etc. You have 14 days on either side of the missed meeting to make up.

I have to make the report by the 10th of the next month. I would appreciate it if people could let me know when and if they do make up for a missed meeting, however, if you tell me after the 10th it is wasted.

Overall attendance for the club helps us with district awards and makes the club look better. My working on getting the members to commit to making more meetings or making up for missed meetings helps our statistics.

Remember, when you joined Rotary, you committed to represent your classification and promised to regularly attend meetings. We all have busy schedules but please make an effort. It is even possible to make up on line.

Thanks,

–Bill Shouse

Club Secretary

As most of you are aware, the fines that occur at our meetings is a way to add some to the club’s coffers. Each year, each club member is asked to indicate how much he or she is willing to be fined each year. The questions asked, whether you get them right or not, does not affect the total fines levied each year. Your commitment to paying the fines is what determines your yearly fine amount.

Please let me know what you are willing to be fined this year. If someone does not respond, we will set the amount ourselves. Risky!

Sincerely,

–Bill Shouse

Club Secretary

Billboard

Saturday, November 6, 8AM – 5 PM

CERT Graduates (individuals who have completed all seven CERT training modules AND have received a CERT certificate) are invited to attend this innovative training day.

Training Opportunities will include:

ICS – This 1 hour class will review the Incident Command System and will show where and how CERT members fall in the command system.

Sand Bags – This 1 hour class will teach the proper filling, placement, and use of this versatile tool.

Fire Extinguishers – This 1 hour class will review the proper use and tactics of the portable fire extinguisher when extinguishing a “Live Fire”.

The Main Scenario – This 3 hour “Real Life Drill” will cover Search & Rescue, Triage, and Treatment. You will be placed in a real time emergency scene and have to use your CERT skills to work as a team to mitigate and manage the incident.

Cribbing – This 2 hour class will review your heavy lifting and cribbing skills. Whether lifting slabs of concrete or file cabinets, this class will help you think “outside the box.”

Traffic – This 1 hour class will help CERT members be aware of their personal safety and surroundings as they learn how to effectively control traffic at an incident.

Communications – This 1 hour class will teach the proper use of verbal communications and the many types of radios and radio equipment used in emergencies. (Licensed Amateur Radio Operators, please bring your radio)

This Saturday, October 23, 2010 is the District Conference to Eradicate Polio. Club members will be heading to Santa Paula’s Limoneira Ranch for a picnic, and exchange student Manuella will be with us for the event.

Bring your cash next week.

Our interact presidents will be here to sell tickets for their pancake breakfast on November 6th.

Please help support their fundraising event.

November 2, 2010 we will be reviewing the numbers from the Chili Cook-off. Please be there!

Remember this date!!! This will be the clubs 25th Ojai Wine Festival. Please be sure your calendar is clear for this important event.

On Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00 a.m. the board will meet at Eggs & Things.

On November 13, 2010 the Rotaract Club of Ventura is sponsoring their 1st Annual Family Fun & Fitness 5k. Bring the entire family for a day of fun to raise awareness of Polio’s National Immunization Day.

Holly Wiggins informed the club that we are having a canned food drive now until Christmas.

Please bring one item of food with you to the meeting for the next few weeks.

Bryon Crawford completed basis PRLS and thought it was a great experience.

He would like to take Master PRLS

Jane McClenahan indicated that the floating classroom took 33 students and 15 teachers from Casa Pacific School. Everybody had a great time.

Cliff Norton called and informed us that over 500 patients were seen in Roatan, Honduras in the medical mission conducted by Dr. Carl Gross and Dr. Skankey. Cliff filled in as “Chief Pharmacist”. A lot of rain and high humidity, but they got the job done.

The Thirty-second Commercials, in which members tell why you should shop them first.

Bill Shouse makes sure that Fido’s fit at the Ojai Pet ClinicBob Pergson is an archery master.Paul Blatz runs a law firm, and is also an Ojai City Councilperson

Austin Cline is the (retired) Aqua-Flo man.Tom Farmer Great homes for less.Dennis Guernsey manages a large real estate office.

Waypoints

Rob & Linda Long,

and

Ray & Jade Smith celebrated wedding anniversaries.

Our club gave an enthusiastic rendition of “Happy Anniversary” to both Rob & Ray. We may have been a bit off key but we gave it our best.

Fines

Rob Long

Finemaster

Today’s topics – Songs with Fall Theme or Pumpkins

Jack McClenahan
Who sang “Autumn of my Life”? – Bobby Goldsboro

Jim Chase
This group had a hit with “See You in September” – The Chiffons

Luanne Fay
The largest pumpkin grew to what weight? – 1,140 lbs.

John Haag
“Chill of an Early Fall” was a hit for this singer: – George Strait

Teresa Rooney
What is the record for chucking a pumpkin through an air powered canon? – 4,484 ft

Kathy Doubleday
What is the record for a pumpkin being tossed by human power? – 1,984 ft.

Nick Oatway
What is the top pumpkin producing state in the union? – Illinois.

Father Steve
“November Rain” was sung by? – Guns & Roses

Pat McPherson
This group sang “October” – U2

Tempos
1959

Happenings
1966

Quotations
1962

Symbols
1966

Shelley Fabares
1962

Gerry and the Pacemakers
1966

Chiffons
1963,1966

Oliver Despax (French)
1966

Mike Clifford
1964

Mike Curb Congregation
1972

Happy Buck$

Jim Halverson

is happy that his colleague, Dr. Carl Gross, is back in the office after working at a South American clinic.

Kathy Doubleday
…is grateful for her husband.

She also enjoyed a trip to Oregon to see her parents.

Finally, for all the Living Treasures at our meeting today.

Featured Speakers

Today we were privileged to have Ojai’s own Living Treasures.

Betsy Goodspeed is involved in “Rescue the Piano Project” which will take unused pianos and find them a good home.

She also is involved in a singing group which performs al local care centers.

Jim Weblemoe is a volunteer with “Help of Ojai”. Jim reminded us of the many wonderful things Help of Ojai does for our community and indicated that many of us may need their services some day.

Kim Armstrong was very honored to receive this award.

Growing up in a small town, she wanted to bring some of the feelings she had as a child to the valley.

She has worked with the Miss Oak View pageant, lighting of the Christmas Tree in Oakview, and the Veterans Day Parade.

She has spent a number of hours helping kids in Ensenada, Mexico but now per passion is working with young adults who have challenges.

Phil Harvey is a professional singer who brought his talents to Ojai many moons ago.

He has done many musical projects in the community and sings the “Ojai Song” at our band concerts in the park during the summer.

Phil mentioned that “Messiah” will be performing at the Ojai Community Church in December, which should be great for the whole family.

There will be no cover charge and minors are welcome until the kitchen closes at 10:00 p.m. Hey, kids love Beatles music too!

We recently learned two new Beatles songs: “You’re Going To Lose That Girl” and “I’ve Just Seen A Face.” Both are terrific tunes. In fact, Jester owner Nigel Chisholm will sing the latter and maybe a few others this Friday.

It’s very rewarding to perform such wonderful tunes for an appreciative audience. The Jester is ALWAYS a blast! Hope to see some of you there.

Cheers!

–DJ

Be Prepared with continuing CERT training

The Great American Shakeout is October 21st at 10:21AM. Please register by going to their web-site and then "Drop, cover and hold on."

The current Ojai Valley CERT class will graduate (along with Ventura City CERT) on Saturday October 30th. We are requesting volunteer assistance (eg pretending to be a victim, etc) and appreciate the support.

The CERT Expo (last year it was called Certainly CERT) will be all-day Saturday November 6th at the Camarillo Ventura County Fire Department Regional Training Center. This will be an action-packed fun day, so please click on the link, review the flyer and then click on the link to the Ventura County Fire Department web-site for registration.

Good Morning! So great to be with fellow Rotarians today. Sergeant-at-Arms Bryon Crawford called the meeting to order. President Stephanie thanked the scribe, the set up group, Secretary Bill Shouse and Treasurer Gayel Childress.

The pledge was led by Les Gardner, and the invocation by Father Steve Ochoa.

Guest Introductions

Deepa Willingham, left

Governor, Rotary District 5240

Seen with President

Stephanie Midgett

Mike Reynolds

Pacific Coast Highlander and
former Rotarian

Steve Doll

Assistant Governor, area 7

Also visiting this morning, Fr. Jeff Wilhelm Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Club Announcements

Stephanie Midgett,

President

Our thanks to Pacific Coast Highlander, Major Piper, and former Rotarian Mike Reynolds. He is a constant source of awards for our club from the Oak View Memorial Day parade. His group also make a guest performance in the Ojai band concerts two years ago.

Our program next week is about the Rotary Clubs of Ojai Living Treasures program. Six very special volunteers from the Valley will share their efforts to give back to the our community.

We will also hear a report from Jane McClenahan and Lavon Roberts. They will work as Rotary boat docents for Casa Pacifica’s special needs classroom, so we will look forward to hearing about it.

Congrats to our members that were instrumental in the Studio Artists Tour: Gayel Childress, Linda Taylor, Teresa Rooney, Jennifer Guernsey and Edie Simone Smith. The town was full.

He is a graduate of Villanova University, and served as a missionary in northwestern Peru. Not many can say they commuted to the office every morning by climbing the Andes.

Father Steve is now the Pastor of St. Thomas Acquinas parish here in Ojai.

He enjoys hiking, cycling, and has a passion for history, old cars, and airshows.

Father Steve was nominated by honorary Rotarian Luann Fay, seen at right. He was given his membership pin by District Governor Deepa
Willingham, at left. Later, Deepa also accepted a $250 donation for the Rotary Foundation by Stephanie Midgett, given in Father Steve’s name.

In addition to the ceremony this morning, we welcome back our Charter Member Rick Gould. Hooray for Rick!

Rick has returned to Ojai permanently, and has changed his membership status from honorary to active.

Featured Speaker

Our program was a moving interesting and inspirational message from District Governor Deepa Willingham.
If you weren’t there, then you missed a good one.

Deepa arrived in a car specially painted to promote
the race to the cure for Polio.
She spoke to the club about the journey that led her
to America, to Rotary, and to us.

Deepa recounted her arrival at Idyllwild airport with only $8 in her pocket. She couldn’t board the bus because although the fare was a quarter, she did not have the "exact change". A charitable passer-by gave her the fare. She was in school in Ohio to earn a Master’s degree, and the acclimation to our weather (no warm clothes) and our culture continued, with help from her roommates. She was not used to showering with others, and wound up showering at 2 AM. The food was strange, and she did not eat meat. She wanted to go home.

Over half of humanity lives on less than two dollars a day. They don’t have health care, clean water, or most importantly, access to education. Most of these are women. "The Taliban feels that their biggest threat is education for women," she told us. "Educated women will not produce revolutionary sons." Uneducated, poverty-stricken people have no control over their future. Demagogues the world over prey on them, as they are easily recruited and manipulated. Little girls become prostitutes. Little boys become gun-carrying soldiers.

As our economy struggles to recover, the need for Service above Self has never been higher at home as well. Two examples Deepa cited were the long lines at food distribution centers. Last year, over 700-thousand children went to bed hungry. Also, America’s place among the educated industrialized nations has fallen. This does not bode well for the future of our nation, our children, and ourselves.

Deepa pointed out the difference in attitude towards membership, as seen from the point of view of Governors, club Presidents, and members.

For Rotary to thrive as a force for good in the future, we need new members. In particular, we need new younger members. Most Rotarians, by far, are in their golden years.

Deepa told us that a chronic shortfall in our efforts to serve is ‘branding", a failure to take credit for our work. She showed us a sample of the vests she said we should wear while on projects, so passers-by would know who is doing the heavy lifting.

After her presentation, President Stephanie presented the District Governor with a Rotary-West coffee cup. In return, Deepa gave us a DVD about Rotary efforts to eradicate polio.

Out and About

Gayel Childress gets into her art.Photo by John Kenyon

Ojai-West Rotarians support Ojai Valley Education

Thursday morning the Ojai Education Foundation held a fundraiser breakfast in the Nordhoff High School gym. Our club supports the Foundation with yearly grants.

In addition, many of our members showed up to get out their checkbooks and personally contribute more, showing once again that we are dedicated to being an integral part of the Ojai Valley Community.

One of the speakers was Interact co-President Barbera Horne-Petersdorf, who told the crowd how much OEF-supported dance classes meant to her and fellow students.
Our champion fund raiser Jim Halverson is the one to ask,
when you have to ask many for money.

Holly Wiggins
Kenn Beer (however did he get that name?) and Bill Spellman.

Jane and Max
Linda Taylor and Officer Tony Haining

Correspondence

Saturday, November 6, 8AM – 5 PM

CERT Graduates (individuals who have completed all seven CERT training modules AND have received a CERT certificate) are invited to attend this innovative training day.

Training Opportunities will include:

ICS – This 1 hour class will review the Incident Command System and will show where and how CERT members fall in the command system.

Sand Bags – This 1 hour class will teach the proper filling, placement, and use of this versatile tool.

Fire Extinguishers – This 1 hour class will review the proper use and tactics of the portable fire extinguisher when extinguishing a “Live Fire”.

The Main Scenario – This 3 hour “Real Life Drill” will cover Search & Rescue, Triage, and Treatment. You will be placed in a real time emergency scene and have to use your CERT skills to work as a team to mitigate and manage the incident.

Cribbing – This 2 hour class will review your heavy lifting and cribbing skills. Whether lifting slabs of concrete or file cabinets, this class will help you think “outside the box.”

Traffic – This 1 hour class will help CERT members be aware of their personal safety and surroundings as they learn how to effectively control traffic at an incident.

Communications – This 1 hour class will teach the proper use of verbal communications and the many types of radios and radio equipment used in emergencies. (Licensed Amateur Radio Operators, please bring your radio)

05

Sgt. At Arms Bryan Crawford opened the meeting and reminded us that next week we all need to arrive ten minutes early
and meet in the parking lot to welcome our District Governor, Deepa Willingham, who will be making her official visit.

October 8 – 9: The Studio Artists Tour, starring our own Linda Taylor and Gayel Childress. (See the ad below, in the Billboard.)

October 12th: DG Deepa Willingham will pay us her official Governor’s visit. Please meet her early in the parking lot so we can march into the meeting with her. And note she’ll be driving her official “Polio Eradication Car”.

October 23rd: The district conference and its new format, “a moving race” will be held. Your registration material must be turned into President Steph ASAP.

Bryan Crawford is attending Basic PRLS this weekend in Ventura.

There were no “thirty-second vocational commercials” this week but the “bad” boy’s table was put on notice that they will be called on next week.

Australian GSE team meets with Ventura County Fire Captain to discuss disaster preparedness.
Left to right: Bryony Grice, Kenn Beer, Karen Mead, Captain Bob Roper, Officer Tony Haining and Rotarian John Kenyon. Andrew Leitch was visiting a winery at the time.

John Kenyon says: Please join with the Australian GSE team this Friday afternoon on the Lake from 2:00 PM – 5:00PM. Then continue with the team and John for dinner at Boccali’s.

The Rotary Club of Ojai-West is hosting the dinner so it really would be a good thing for you to show up. But please let John know you are coming. You can call 805-798-0886.

Friday October 8th: John Kenyon will pick up the team from Ventura and bring them to the Ojai home of artist Linda Taylor. Bill Spellman will bring the ladies, We will stay here for about an hour.

We will go to the world famous artist Ted Gall’s studio atCuyama Road at 10:30. This should also last about an hour.

We will then go to the Friday Club lunch from noon to 1:30.

Left: Aussies get a lift in John’s ’68 Chebby.

We will then go to Lake Casitas and enjoy the lake on the Rotorboat for an educational and relaxing tour of the Ventura and Ojai Water supply. Dress warmly.

Then, Boccali’s restaurant, and afterward we walk across the street to meet with Gayel Childress another famous Ojai Artist and Rotarian and visit her studio.

Afterward, we return to Boccali’s for a dinner with the Rotary Club of Ojai-West. This should last until the wee hours or 7:30pm whichever comes first. Then they will go home and recover from this wonderful but hectic day.

Rotarian Cliff Norton is joining two Rotarian Doctors from the Friday Ojai club on a medical mission to Honduras beginning Sunday.

They expect to see 500 patients in a week.

Cliff will stay an extra week to participate in his own Christian mission separate from the Rotary functions.

Waypoints

Anniversaries celebrated today (but they were missing so we couldn’t sing to them):

At left, Howard Smith, 13 years with the club and Lou Torres, 8 years.

Fines

Tom Farmer

Finemaster

Questions of a trivial nature…

Tom thanked everyone on behalf of Judge Joe Brown,
who appreciated our hospitality and served as a Chili judge.

Tom himself was then fined for being at the “Wine Festival”
when the rest of us were at the “Chili Cook-Off”. Thanks, Luann.

Michelle Henson
What color are Zebra’s black stripes when the Zebras are kids? BROWNRichard McArthur
What two colors are a magpie’s feathers? CORRECT! BLACK AND WHITEDennis Guernsey
How tall, on average, are cattle? 5 FEETCliff Norton
The Beaufort Scale measures what? WINDTeresa Rooney
What tree dwelling ape is known in Malaysia as “person of the forest”? ORANGUTANJohn Haag
Which President was shot while walking to Governor Jerry Brown’s office?
Correctly knew the answer: GERALD FORD. Steve Frank
(with help from Fr. Steve and advice from Ross) Who was the last President of the USSR: GORBACHEV

Happy Buck$

Teresa Rooney
Teresa was happy to be back from her trip to France, to have listed a home for sale near Ross’s and Steve’s homes.

Also, she will have her art studio open during the Studio Artists Tour (911 Signal St.). Come see her work!

(And see the ad below, in the Billboard.)

Bill Shouse
…was very happy for something that happened at the Chile Cook-Off.

Unfortunately your scribe only heard something about a body cavity search and the punch line, “Take her First!” Apologies to Bill.

Bob Beeby

Bob had enjoyed a special fishing trip with his brother.Cliff Norton
…was happy because he met and got to know Kathy Doubleday’s husband Sid Cohn
Sid was generally happy but specifically happy about the Chile cook-off and how Rotary was well known to certain attendees for its good service work.

Featured Speaker

Jane Howatt

The Write Stuff

"I never meant to get tangled up in the serial murder business."

Right: Oak View author Jane Howatt proudly displays her
fat folder of rejection letters, and the folder with her book contract.

President Stephanie introduced our Guest: "If there is ever a time when one would think What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? our speaker would definitely fit the bill. From a Fillmore Rotarian family, a doctor’s wife, a stay-at-home-Mom turned author, Jane Howatt would dare to do something most of us would love to thin we could do, but in truth probably would not."

Jane Howatt intrigued us with her personal story of how a stay-at-home soccer mom could convince famous LAPD homicide detective “Jigsaw” John St. John to allow her to become his shadow for thirteen years and learn how homicide cops work, live and behave.

Her dream took root when she determined to be a writer and took the first step of enrolling in an adult education class. Her instructor suggested that she find a subject that would kindle her passion by closely examining newspaper articles.

For a month, she read the papers with a pair of scissors in hand. She considered writing about kids and sports. Then she spotted a story about L.A.’s badge number one, and his pursuit of killers.

"If you think you can write this book in your study in Camarillo, forget it," he told her. "If you want to write about me, you’re going to have to see some things. You’re going to have to go to the morgue. You will meet my snitches. You’re going to have to see crime scenes."

Jigsaw John earned his nom de guerre early on by solving a murder in Griffith Park. The victim had been cut into pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. His uncanny ability to assemble pieces of evidence into a conviction also added to the legend.

In the beginning, Howatt said, he was very skeptical about a ride-along with a soccer mom.

The first time they spoke by phone, the Detective asked what publishing experience she had. None. He hung up, but she persisted, calling again and again over the next week. At last, he agreed to meet at a steakhouse if she promised never to call him again.

"The more I was pulled into his world, the more I realized the tragedy that he dealt with," she said. "Death of a child, death of a parent, death, death, death."

St. John died of pancreatic cancer in 1995.

The book, now in her publisher’s hands, is a true-crime, non-fiction work. Howatt began by documenting one of St. John’s most famous cases, the Freeway Strangler.

Bill Bradford was a photographer who lured unsuspecting victims to remote locations, like the Mojave desert. That’s where he photographed, killed, and buried two women.

He died in prison while awaiting execution.

But the original book idea couldn’t be sold. Howatt showed us a couple of pounds of rejection letters for her first sixteen book proposals.

"That’s part of my message. You’re going to fail. But you’re going to get right back up and knock down that wall, brick by brick. Twenty-eight years is a big wall."

Persistence is a trademark of this remarkable woman, who overcame the discouragement and self-doubt that inevitably accompanies a long, long series of rejection letters.

An encounter with a TV producer convinced Howatt that thirteen years of being the civilian side-kick of LA’s most famous homicide detective was, in itself, the story worth telling. Her publisher agreed.

She has already received inquiries from producers interested in putting their story on film.

Detective St. John, wherever he is, must surely be smiling now.

"This book combines John’s passion for justice, his passion for victims, with my passion for literacy."

Howatt started the John St. John Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura.

A teen from the club will receive $1,000 college tuition in order to pursue a career in law enforcement or criminal justice. The fund will get a portion of the royalties.

President Steph gave Ms. Howatt a genuine Rotary-West coffee mug as thanks for her excellent presentation.

There is no denying that this year’s Ojai Big Chili Cook-off- was amazing: great cooks, great judges, great guests, great volunteers, GREAT ORGANIZATION! The setting was terrific, even the cloud cover did us a real service! Comments at the gate were enthusiastically given.

Thank you to all who worked their shifts and brought other folks in to help. And thank you to those who worked their shifts and other people’s shifts too.

The numbers will be counted in the next few days. Now is the time to enjoy an event that we can be proud of.

In Rotary Service,
–Stephanie

The photos above and below were taken by Active Rotary-West member Rick GouldMore photos of the Cookoff by photographer Mike Adams can be seen on his web site.

Steve Frank stirs the pot. Photo by Daly Road Graphics

Correspondence

PDG Jock MacKenzie Remembered

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Due to the tremendous outpouring of sympathies and inquiries as a result of PDG Jock MacKenzie’s passing last Wednesday morning, I’m sending updated information regarding his Memorial Service, where donations can be made in Jock’s honor (discussed by Jock with Lynn prior to his passing), and where condolences can be sent to Jock’s family.

Cards of condolences to Jock’s family can be sent to: Lynn MacKenzie, 717 North Valley, Thousand Oaks CA 91362

As sad as Jock’s passing has been, we can rejoice in his friendship, the contributions he made to our club, our district, and Rotarians throughout the world.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Edward J. A. Pope, Ph.D.
President (2010/2011)
Past President (2005/2006)
ROTARY CLUB OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE

Two for One Recognition Points for on-line contributions to End Polio Now

Dear Rotarian,

As you may know, Sunday, 24 October 2010 is World Polio Day. In honor of World Polio Day, The Rotary Foundation is happy to announce 2 for 1 recognition points for every online contribution of US$100 or more made to PolioPlus during 18-24 October 2010, Central Standard Time.

Rotarians may click here to to make their online contribution. Rotarians will need to have registered with Rotary’s Member Access. Please note that online contributions are in US dollars and will receive a US tax receipt. Donors will need to print the tax receipt at the time of donation. Also, online contributions cannot be made on behalf of another individual, club or district.

We expect to have a high volume of online traffic associated with this promotion. Please allow 4-6 weeks for the promotional points to appear. Once the promotional points have appeared in their accounts, donors may request their recognition materials.

I hope you will join me in contributing online to PolioPlus in honor of World Polio Day. Together we will End Polio Now.

Sincerely,

John T. Osterlund

General Manager
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Deepa Willingham, District Governor
Brenda Cressey, District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair
Jim Lewis, District End Polio Now Fundraising Chair

Please join CERT for the 2010 Ojai Day

Ojai Valley CERT will have a booth alongside Ojai Valley Amateur Radio Club and American Red Cross.

We are looking for volunteers to spend a couple hours discussing CERT, passing out whatever OK Signs we have left, signing people up for future classes, and having fun.

We had a great volunteer turnout last year, so I’m looking forward to good support this year.

The event is from 10AM to 5PM. Set-up around 9AM and we’re usually done by 5:30PM. Please stop by even for an hour or two.

Our annual studio tour is a entertaining self-guided tour spanning the Ojai
Valley and nearby surrounding areas. With ticket purchase, you will receive a map
of the participating artists’ studio locations.

Please note, while you will be driving or bicycling from studio to studio,
walking shoes are recommended.

Tour Reception

Saturday Evening, October 9th, 6-8 pm, at the Ojai Art Center.
Purchase of a Tour ticket includes the Reception admission.

TOUR TICKETS are $31 for advance ticket purchase and
$36 for tour weekend ticket purchase.
(ticket price includes the reception and a $1 ticket handling fee).
Student tickets (must be under 23 years of age) can be purchased for $21 at theChamber of Commerce with student I.D. Children 12 and under are free.
Tickets are good for both days. All tickets are final; no refunds.